ETHIOPIAN INSTITUTE OF

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

National Fisheries and Aquatic Life Research

Center (NFALRC), Sebeta

Agricultural Profile of Sebeta Hawas District

By: Yared Mesfin Fikadu

Dec, 20 2020 G.C.

 Contents
Contents
Introduction to Sebeta Hawas District .......................................................................................... 3
Background Information ................................................................................................................ 3
Status of Crop and Livestock Production ...................................................................................... 4
Type of Individual Crops Grown with their major Associated Challenges ................................... 5
Wheat .......................................................................................................................................... 5
Teff .............................................................................................................................................. 6
Maize ........................................................................................................................................... 6
Common Bean ............................................................................................................................. 7
Barely........................................................................................................................................... 7
Chickpea ...................................................................................................................................... 8
Lentil ............................................................................................................................................ 8
Common Pea ............................................................................................................................... 8
Guaya........................................................................................................................................... 9
Zengada ....................................................................................................................................... 9
Major Challenges in the District .................................................................................................. 10
Other Challenges .......................................................................................................................... 10
Recommendations Given to Avert the Challenges faced So far ................................................. 11
Priority Areas of Intervention to focus ........................................................................................ 11
Basic Challenges to be Resolved .................................................................................................. 12
Status of Livestock Production and Marketing ........................................................................... 12
Dairy Marketing Trend of Sebeta Hawas District ...................................................................... 15
Information on the Types of Livestock Species and their Number ........................................... 16
Information on the Status of Livestock Ownership and their Population under Urban
Agriculture System .................................................................................................................... 17
 Introduction to Sebeta Hawas District

Background Information

Sebeta Hawas is one of the districts found in South West Shewa Zone of Oromia Region. It
is located at a distance of about 25 kms south west of the capital city, Addis Ababa. It is
bordered by Wolmera District from the North, Kersa and Tole from the South, Addis Ababa
from the East and Illune Ejere from the South. Sebeta town is located within approximate
geographical coordinates of 8052‟30”N-9000‟00”Nlatitude and 38035‟00”E 38040‟00”E
longitude. The district has a total of 49 kebeles out of which 41 are rural and 8 are urban.
Total land size of the district is 72,317 ha with a distribution of 58,623 ha allotted for
agriculture, 2,538 ha for forest, 3,644 ha for pasture and the remaining 7,512 ha is covered
by others such as houses, roads and other areas. Out of the 58,623 ha of land allotted for
agriculture, 7,780 ha of land is suitable for the production of fruits and vegetables

Sebeta Hawas is found at an altitude of 1,700-3,200 masl. Regarding the agro-ecological

status of the district, 88% of the district area is mid altitude or “Woynadega” while the
remaining 12% is highland or “Dega”. It has an annual rainfall ranging from 800 to 1,200
mm. It has a daily average temperature ranging from 12 to 30 deg c.

Total population size of the district is 189,912. There are about 37,982 households in the
district out of which 15,467 of them are engaged in agriculture that accounts to 13,432 men
headed and 2,035 women household heads. This means, 40.7% of the district population in
general are engaged in agricultural activities
 Status of Crop and Livestock Production

As indicated earlier in the introductory section, Sebeta Hawas is a district composed of

majority of its kebeles (6 out of the 10) being rural. This is an indication of the fact that most
of its population engaged in agricultural activities as also included in the secondary
(document review) made. The overall status of the district shows that the crop and livestock
production system (farming system) is mainly characterized by small scale and semi-
intensive farming using traditional or oxen plough driven system of cultivation and mainly
subsistence oriented production, ill or marginally linked to the market. (Secondary
information on the detailed characterization of farming system of Sebeta Hawas district is
highly needed). The system of crop production in the district is mainly rain fed with some
meager small scale irrigation practices in 3 kebeles of the district namely: Chefe Hora, 05
and 07. However, these small irrigation practices are mainly challenged by polluted water
mainly affecting not only crop but also livestock production, which is the problem of
infestation by water leaches affecting cattle when they use it for drinking. Water pollution
due to the presence of industrial effluents in the surrounding and nearby are major threats
to the production of crops, with special emphasis to horticultural commodities.

There are different crop and livestock production activities being undertaken in the district.
Among the crop commodities being cultivated are: wheat, teff, fababean, barely, chickpea,
lentil, maize, pea, and two additional and locally grown crops known as: “Guaya” and
“Zengada”. Potato, Enset, coffee rosemary, Basil, rue and other horticultural crops are also
grown in the area. Crop production in the district is mainly challenges by lack of improved
varieties and inputs including even shortage of the seed itself, absence of improved but
simple mechanization technologies that could operate at farm level, threat of losing local but
preferred crop varieties (for instance in the case of maize), crop pest and disease and
absence of information where to get training and advisory services to improve production.
Among the different livestock species being reared in the district include: Poultry, Sheep,
goats, horses, mule, camel and cattle (Oxen and Cows) and honey bees. The livestock
production system is mainly extensive and semi-intensive among households in rural areas
of the district. There is a limited use of improved livestock breed due to lack of information
where to get these from. Feed and Improved livestock breeds are the major challenges to
the progress of livestock production in the district. Having access to these resources with a
moderate cost, supported by intensive training can alleviate major bottlenecks to production
improvements in the livestock sector of the district to some extent.

Type of Individual Crops Grown with their major Associated Challenges

Wheat

Wheat production in the study area is mainly characterized by a semi- intensive subsistence
type of production usually undertaken on black Vertisols. Hence, wheat production in the
district is mainly affected by the problem of water logging in most of the cases. There is also
a problem of “Wag” highly affecting wheat production and productivity. Wheat in the district
is cultivated under a rain fed system. There are some varieties with a treat of improved
productivity introduced to the district. However, these could not solve the challenge of
overall production and productivity due to the problem of disease. According to a secondary
information source obtained from the district, the post harvest data on productivity
performance of the crop shows that it yields 40.5-44.95 qt/ha. This a productivity range for
wheat obtained from normal red soil. From black Vertisol, average wheat productivity
obtained so far was 43.45 qt/ha.
Teff
Teff is a major and staple food crop of the district. Teff is sown both in scattered and line
sowing methods. Sowing teff in line had already been demonstrated to farmers in the form
of training. But farmers still hesitated to use this method as it is a labour intensive method
(labour demanding). To come up with this challenge in the adoption of line (row) planting or
sowing of teff, a teff row planter was introduced to the farmers and demonstrated to the
farmers. However, this method or introduced simple row planter is still less mechanical and
somewhat labour demanding. This is because; the current one is still labour demanding for
carrying and keeping the line (row). Hence, more mechanical adjustments were suggested
to be made in row planting. This shows the presence of mechanization gap in sowing of
this crop. This report lacks information on the difference in local production (yield obtained)
and productivity of teff found using scattered and row planting (sowing) methods. The other
challenge faced regarding teff cultivation is the presence of shoot fly (pest). Hence, overall
challenges in the production and productivity of teff in Sebeta Hawas district could be mainly
attributed to mechanization, pest (shoot fly) and lack of high yielding (improved) varieties.
Secondary information on teff trials made in the district show that productivity of teff ranged
from 23.98-29 Qt/ha. No Information is generated on the experience of teff production on
black Vertisols in the district.

Maize
Maize is one of the food crops in the district but it is not commonly used. There is a local
maize variety adapted to the mid altitude condition (Woyna Dega) areas of the district.
Previously, the area planted with maize was 1,500 ha but through time the area covered by
maize declined due to lack of improved varieties and availability of sufficient seed for further
expansion. If we are to access improved seeds, they are usually feared for making cross
breeding so that we may lose our local variety. We currently managed to limit maize
production only to 600 ha of land. Major challenge for the production and productivity of
maize in the district are stock borer disease.
Hence, there is a demand for a non-cross breeding but stock borer disease resistant maize
variety in the district. Secondary information on maize trials made in the district show that
the productivity of maize ranged from 37-49 Qt/ha, with an average of 48.31 Qt/ha. No
Information was generated on the experience of maize production on black Vertisols in the
district.

Common Bean
Common bean is also one of the food crops grown in Sebeta Hawas District. It is mostly
sold in Sebeta town and other nearby kebeles of the district mainly Welete in fresh forms as
“Eshet”. The main challenge in the cultivation of common bean is Wag, a fungal disease of
the crop. Secondary information on maize trials made in the district show that the
productivity of common bean ranged from 26-30Qt/ha, with an average of 27.91Qt/ha. No
Information was generated on the experience of common bean production on black
Vertisols in the district.

Barely
Barley is the third most common edible crop to teff and wheat respectively. It is mostly
grown in the highland Dega areas of the district. Currently in the district, a variety known as
“Amaro” is in use by farmers in different kebeles. Major challenge of barely cultivation in the
district is a pest known as shoot fly. Currently not more than 3,233 ha of land in the district
is covered by barely. Secondary information on barely trials made in the district show that
the productivity of barely ranged from 24-30Qt/ha, with an average of 27.71Qt/ha. No
Information was generated on the experience of barely production on black Vertisols in the
district.
Chickpea
Chick pea is the fourth important crop grown in the district. Currently, area coverage of chick
pea is not more than 884 ha of land. The main challenge of chickpea cultivation in the
district, in addition to lack of variety is the prevalence of two types of diseases: cutworm and
root rot. Secondary information on barely trials made in the district show that the productivity
of chickpea ranged from 24-30Qt/ha, with an average of 27.71Qt/ha. No Information was
generated on the experience of chickpea production on black Vertisols in the district.

Lentil
Lentil is one of the least grown crops in the district. Currently, lentil cultivation holds not
more than 682 ha of land in the district. In addition to the shortage of improved lentil
varieties and poor productivity, lentil production is highly affected by Aphids (Pest).
Secondary information on lentil trials made in the district show that the productivity of the
crop ranged from 21.75-24Qt/ha, with an average of 22.34Qt/ha. No Information was
generated on the experience of lentil production on black Vertisols in the district.

Common Pea
Pea is one of the common food crops grown in the district. Pea cultivation is highly
constrained by lack of improved variety and currently the community is using an old and
local variety. Currently the crop is not commercialized and only used for local consumption
due to limited production and high status of consumption. Problem of Aphid (pest) is also
another challenge constraining local production of common pea. Currently, area coverage of
common pea (under cultivation) is not more than 695 ha of land. Secondary information on
common pea trials made in the district show that the productivity of the crop ranged from
18-20Qt/ha, with an average of 18.64Qt/ha. No Information was generated on the
experience of common pea production on black Vertisols in the district.
Guaya
Guaya is the most common local crop variety for food consumption. No improved variety
was registered on the crop in the district. It is a local crop for which little or no information
was obtained regarding the status of its production and marketing. However, secondary
information collected from the rural district office asserts that the crop has an area coverage
of not more than 505 ha of land, which is the least coverage among the commonly grown
cereal crops. From the same source of information, productivity of the crop ranged from
28.5-29Qt/ha, with an average of 28.95Qt/ha. No Information was generated on the
experience of Guaya production on black Vertisols in the district.

Zengada
It is also one among the many food crops (cereal crops) grown in the district. It is a locally
adapted crop and no variety is so far registered on the crop in the area. Zengada has a
least coverage of all food crops listed above and it is not more than 11 ha of farm land. No.
detailed information is generated on the crop and it needs further research on varietal
improvement and adaptation
.
 Major Challenges in the District
1. Extension Coverage is very limited (There are some kebeles which do not get extension
service at all)
2. Polluted water (Irrigation water)
3. Shortage of training service delivery and awareness creation to the community including:
Fertilizer use, Usage of improved varieties
4. Lack of coordinated service delivery to the community i.e. poor linkage between Woreda/
Kebele extension service providers and the community
5. Shortage of improved variety supply in almost all commodities
6. Unequal performance between/ among different groups engaged in agricultural
development (Bee hive owners and like)
7. Poor monitoring and evaluation of development activities
8. Lack of supply of many inputs and poor /lack of market linkage
9. Lack of working sites by cooperatives organized under agricultural businesses
10. Lack of Veterinary facility and infrastructure as well as service provider
11. Lack of information about accessing basic input sources for agriculture such as seeds,
breeds and other production and productivity enhancing inputs. They don’t know where to
get these inputs and related information (Information gap)

Other Challenges
1. Though our beginning is quite good it was not possible to effectively disseminate good
experiences and best practices obtained from our intervention to other areas (Scaling up
Challenge). We are also not able to organize our key resources and efforts towards
achieving our planned objective (Problem of coordination and organization). Not able to
meet the farmer demand or even go along with the demand for improved agricultural
technologies (Improved livestock breeds and crop varieties). Poor monitoring and
evaluation of our efforts and status of performance even when M & E is done. This includes
lack of integration and sustainability of M& E for our intervention.

2. Lack of sufficient coverage for M&E for all implementation sites (Kebeles). Unfit between
plan and implementation performance status, lack of assigned person for timely reporting of
activities status.
Recommendations Given to Avert the Challenges faced So far

Due to gradual conversion of rural lands into urban ownerships in the process of
urbanization, the total land (area) is getting lower and lower making the total size of farmed
land (existing area under cultivation) smaller and smaller that ultimately led to lower
production of crops and livestock in and around the town. This leads to the importance of
expanding urban agriculture to complement for that reduction.

To get or have access to improved seeds, breeds varieties etc… we need to get sufficient
budget, information from where to get these inputs on time with sufficient quality and
quantity. Budget for establishing veterinary clinics, We also need to have linkage with
organizations/institutions who have closer or similar (compatible) activities to ours (our
needs and duties/activities). We need technologies that efficiently utilize small amount of
land. Environmental pollution is highly affecting our health, agricultural production and
productivity. We recommend highly that this problem has to be worked upon with a special
case. Especially water pollution is the main challenge.

Priority Areas of Intervention to focus

Giving training and awareness for farmers on the use of modern agricultural technologies
Providing balanced diets for cattle/livestock
Identifying and using improved livestock breeds thereby promoting their enhanced use
Maintaining livestock health
Keeping water sanitation in the areas for a variety of use
Breeding for improved livestock performance
Establishing a standard livestock barn
 Basic Challenges to be Resolved

 Filling the demand and supply gap observed on livestock

 Supplying improved poultry variety
 Supplying improved bee hives
 There are small and micro enterprises engaged in poultry, bee and cattle/livestock
production that have not yet started their activities. Hence, we have planned to put them to
work (make them operational)
 Training on improved livestock and fishery production in a well organized and digested
format.

Status of Livestock Production and Marketing

As indicated earlier, livestock production and marketing in Sebeta Hawas is mainly small
scale and subsistence oriented type. The development of livestock resources is mainly
driven by small and medium scale technologies. There is less orientation towards
commercialization. More efforts to commercialize livestock and livestock products are seen
on dairy and poultry. Taking the secondary data from the department of livestock on the
performance of the livestock sector indicates that there are some efforts to commercialize
livestock products in the district. As an exemplary case, the 2012 plan and performance of
livestock production and marketing is shown on the table below:
 Table 1. Performance of Livestock Production and Marketing in Sebeta Hawas District (2020 G.C.)
S/No Activity Number Product Plan Performance Sales Plan No Sales Number of Number of
(Livestock Type) (Amount) Performance Participants Beneficiaries
Sold (In Birr)
1 Cow (Local) 8,746 Milk (Lit) 17,229,050 4,722,940 lit N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
2 Cow (Local) 16,528 Milk (Lit) 5,503,824 5,424,768 lit N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
3 Cow (Exotic) 292 Milk (Lit) 612,255 1,010,095 lit N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
4 Cow (Exotic) 312 Milk (Lit) 1,231,200 1,235,520 lit N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
5 AI (Cattle) 2,700 Breeding(N) 2,700 1,163 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
6 AI (Cattle) 1,800 Breeding(N) 1,800 1,522 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
7 Calf (Mult) 888 Breeding(N) 888 503 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
8 Fattening (C) 17,707 Cattle (N) 17,707 16, 679 N/A N/A N/A N/A 3,155
9 Fattening (C) 23,861 Cattle(N) 23,861 24,350 N/A 17,181 12,926,520 4,900 345
10 Fattening (S) 22,065 Sheep (N) 22,065 20,270 N/A 20,270 N/A N/A 2,209
11 Fattening (S) 37,884 Sheep (N) 37,884 36, 962 N/A 1,110 1,998,000 3,585 165
12 Fattening (G) 6485 Goats(N) 6485 5461 N/A N/A N/A N/A 596
13 Fattening (G) 115030 Goats(N) 115030 120,993 N/A 246 467, 400 674 27
14 Poultry (For Eggs) 10,304 Poultry(N) 10,304 10,304 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
15 Poultry (For Eggs) 9,251 Poultry (N) 9,251 11600 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
16 Egg production 494,631 Eggs (N) 494,631 344,908 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
17 Egg production 693,825 Eggs (N) 693,825 794,310 N/A 704,780 N/A N/A N/A
18 Egg production 5,566,230 Eggs (N) 5,566,230 4,955,335 16,581,282 4,469,924 19,168,634 7, 015
19 Bee (Honey) N/A Honey (Kg) 183,097 81,050 N/A 73,500 N/A N/A N/A
20 Bee (Honey) N/A Honey (Kg) 101,000 46, 775 N/A 42,482 N/A N/A N/A
21 Bee (Honey) TH 6,850 hives Honey (Kg) 46,000 14,000 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
22 Bee (Honey) TRH 1711 hives Honey (Kg) 34,000 10,000 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
23 Bee (Honey) MH 1582 hives Honey (Kg) 23,000 21,300 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
24 Bee (Honey) MH 888 hives Honey (Kg) 21,300 21,300 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
25 Bee (Honey) MH 92 hives Honey (Kg) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
26 Bee (Honey) MH 3 hives Honey (Kg) 101,000 46,775 20,200,000 N/A 9,355,000 N/A N/A
Note:

C=Cattle
G=Goats
S=Sheep
Egg Production in red is using the Local Poultry Breed and in Normal Fonts is with the Exotic (Improved) Breed. Egg production was
tried on farmers from 36 farmer kebeles
TH=Traditional Bee Hive
TRH=Transitional Bee Hive
MH= Modern Bee Hive
NA= No information is available
N= Number
Kg= Kilograms

Past Year (2011) beneficiary kebeles from honey production were: Tefki and B. Hirro with a percentage of 7.5 and 4 respectively.
This year (2012), Low honey producing kebeles are: A/Baloo and Kontomatiti with a beneficiary percentage of 2% and 1%
respectively. This year (2012), Beneficiary kebeles from honey production and production technology and total sales are: Horo Jila,
Boro Biroo (B/Hirro) and Fulaso. On this same year, the least Honey Beneficiary Kebeles are: A/Balo and Gadaba.
Dairy Marketing Trend of Sebeta Hawas District

Farmers who have local cow breeds prepare cheese and butter from milk and sell it to consumers (buyers) in Sebeta town (Semi
commercial). This adds up to the house hold consumption of milk in some households and not in all. Farmers who have pure breeds
(Exotic Breeds) tend to sell half of their milk production to consumers in Addis Ababa and the remaining half of their milk yield is
supplied to MAMA milk processing company.
 Information on the Types of Livestock Species and their Number

1. Number of Cattles: 144,655

Oxen:- 64,832
Cows (Local Breeds):- 35,659 (Owners:- 11,886 Farmers; Men Headed=10,086 Women
Headed Households=1,800)

Total Number of Livestock breeds:

Hybreed= 245 (Owners: 67; 60 Men Headed and 7 Women Headed)
Pure Breeds= 408 (Owners:- 104; 95 Men Headed and 9 Women Headed Households)
Pure Breed heifer= 158

Local Breeds
Weyfen= 14,821
Gider= 15,211
Korma (Heifer)= 4,740
Tija= 9,392

Sheep= 32,006
Goats= 16,136
Horses= 4,943
Mules=955
Donkeys= 26,432
Poultry (Chicken) = 125,477 (Pastoral type households= 1,034 Farm Households; Men
Headed= 534 and Women Headed= 500 Households)
 Table 2. Information on the Status of Livestock Ownership and their Population under Urban
Agriculture System

S/No Livestock Type Associations Number Number of Livestock

1 Poultry Small and Micro 27 40,500-50,000
2 Poultry Farmer Associations 35 20,500
3 Dairy Cows Small and Micro 24 186
4 Dairy Cows Farmer Associations 47 1,400
5 Cattle (Ye kend Kebtoch) - - 24,300
6 Donkey - - 4,711
7 Horses - - 959
8 Mules - - 82
9 Poultry (Local) - - 14,624
10 Poultry (Hybrid) - - 36,216

Note: - There are 10 kebeles of the Sebeta Hawas district categorized as urban and peri
urban kebeles. These are: Sebeta (01), Alemgena (02), Walete (03), Furi (04), Dima (05),
Daleti (06), Sebeta (07), Kerabu (08), ??? and ????

The above data include a total of livestock population from all of these kebeles included
under urban agriculture system.